CLOSE SHAVE

British gymnast Louis Smith knows a thing or two about making a statement. The eccentric 23-year-old — the 2008 Olympic bronze medalist on pommel horse — is known as much for his well-coiffed hair and elaborate tattoos as his elegant routines.

A couple of days before the biggest — and perhaps final — meet of his life, Smith slipped out of the Olympic village to his home in Peterborough to visit his barber.

"I could have used one in the village, but I didn't want to tell him he was doing it wrong," Smith said.

He returned with a distinctive do, with shaved sides and a meticulously groomed flowing flattop.

Smith says the "hip" cut is designed to grab the kind of attention he thinks the sport needs.

—Will Graves — Twitter http://twitter.com/WillGravesAP

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